In most Muslim countries, serving alcohol is illegal. Some countries make exceptions for tourists -- their reasons being tourists are part of the economy. However, for most countries, religious restrictions and even constitutional acts restrict their local shops from selling alcohol-laced drinks.
Dubai is liberal and has no opposing viewpoint against alcohol consumption but Dubai is not the only emirate in the UAE. Dubai's own alcohol rules are strict but it is allowed, but for emirates such as Sharja, one needs a government license to procure alcohol. This is easy to get for travelers -- but not so for locals.
When in Africa's Somalia, travelers should drop the tin-can filled with brandy; when tourists are caught manufacturing, trading or publicly consuming alcohol, they could be punished. Tourists and non-Muslim foreigners are allowed to drink liquor but only in private spaces -- which means no wine or beer in restaurants.
The country of Bahrain has plenty of sites to visit amid the civil chaos erupting occasionally almost every second half of the year. But most of these incidents are not alcohol-induced; according to The Daily Meal, alcohol in Bahrain is only available in hotels. Travelers also need to secure a private license to purchase alcohol but they need to be careful; drinking in public or worse, getting drunk, means imprisonment.
Amazing enough, Maldives is a non-Muslim majority country yet it prohibits the sale of alcohol for the local population and establishments including hotels and restaurants need to secure special licenses to sell alcohol. This would mean the nightclubs and resorts are paying hefty dues to keep travelers happy with alcohol.
According to World Atlas, another puzzling alcohol-inhibitor is India -- nowadays perceived as liberal when it comes to inebriation, modern culture and Western culture. In some states including Gujarat, Bihar and Nagaland, travelers could be imprisoned for consuming alcohol. While New Delhi and Bombay allows its sale and consumption, in some areas such as Kerala, drinkers and sellers need special permits to sell alcohol.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
